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Home My WebLink AboutCC Resolution 9568 (Montecito/Happy Valley Neighborhood Plan)RESOLUTION NO. 9 5 6 8 RESOLUTION OF THE SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL CERTIFYING THE NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR GENERAL PLAN (GPA95-4) AND ZONING ORDINANCE (ZC95-7) AMENDMENTS AND RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES TO IMPLEMENT THE MONTECITO/HAPPY VALLEY NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN WHEREAS, the San Rafael General Plan 2000 includes an implementing program for the preparation of a Montecito Neighborhood Plan, and WHEREAS, Montecito residents lobbied for the start of this needed plan; and WHEREAS, in June, 1994, the City Council directed the Planning Department to begin work on the neighborhood plan; and WHEREAS, in January, 1995, planning staff and consultants met with an ad hoc neighborhood group to design the process to be used and prepare for the first workshop; and WHEREAS, on April 29,1995, more than 75 people attended a Community Workshop to write a Vision statement describing the future of the neighborhood, and to begin work of drafting the neighborhood plan; and WHEREAS, from May through August more than 200 neighborhood residents, property owners and business owners met to identify guiding principles and implementing actions, and elected a coordinating committee to compile the draft plan. On October 25 and 29, 1995, the draft Plan was presented to and endorsed by neighborhood participants; and WHEREAS, on November 20,1995, residents introduced the Montecito/Happy Valley Neighborhood Plan to the San Rafael City Council, and the Council referred the plan to the Planning Commission for environmental review and recommendation; and WHEREAS, the San Rafael Planning Department as Lead Agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) conducted- an Initial Study to determine whether the project would have a significant negative impact on the environment; and WHEREAS, as a result of the Initial Study, Planning staff has determined that the project would not have a significant impact on the environment due to the reduction in the development potential from that in the General Plan 2000, and due to the continuation of City policies, programs and ordinances for environmental protection currently in place which mitigate all impacts to less than a significant level; and WHEREAS, based on the results of the Initial Study, a Negative Declaration was prepared on December 19,1995; and WHEREAS, the proposed Negative Declaration was processed and reviewed in accordance with CEQA, and was reviewed at a duly noticed public hearing by the Planning Commission on January 23, 1996, at which time no comments were received; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held public hearings and accepted oral testimony and written comments on the proposed project at its January 23 and February 27,1996 meetings; and WHEREAS, the San Rafael City Council held duly noticed public hearings on the Negative Declaration and project merits on March 18, 1996, and accepted oral testimony and written comments on the Negative Declaration and project. BRIG! °�� e NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of San Rafael adopts the following findings pertaining to the environmental review for the General Plan and zoning amendments and design guidelines to help implement the Montecito/Happy Valley Neighborhood Plan: 1. Land Use. Any potential impacts of the project on land use will be less than significant because the proposed amendments will reduce the current planned "build out" in the neighborhood, resulting in maintaining the existing mix of uses and allowing more compatible development given the relatively small, narrow and/or sloping lots, the narrow and crowded neighborhood streets, and the recent new zoning and design standards which emphasize smaller rather than larger buildings. The proposed land use change for the School District's corporation yard to allow senior housing on the site is consistent with City policies encouraging such housing in lcoations close to transit and shopping. 2. Population and Housing. Any potential impacts on housing are less than significant because the project will not increase the neighborhood's population over that in the current General Plan. The maximum theoretical development potential for housing on the San Rafael High School property and the multi family part of the neighborhood are reduced. Existing housing is not affected by these changes as they are protected by housing conservation zoning provisions 14.16.060 and 14.16.070. 3. Geologic Problems, Water, Air Ouality. Any potential impacts are less than significant because of existing General Plan policies and geotechnical review. 4. Transportation, Circulation and Parking. Any potential impacts on circulation are less than significant because the project proposes only minimal changes from existing development. Potential traffic improvements will be reviewed by the City's Traffic Engineer, and designed in accordance with standard safety criteria. The project includes a number of possible approaches to improving the parking situation which will be pursued as General Plan implementing programs. 5. Biologic Resource, Energy and Mineral Resources. Any potential impacts on biologic, energy and mineral resources are less than significant as the Montecito/happy Valley neighborhood is a largely developed area with limited natural vegetation, no likely endangered, threatened or rare species habitat, and no known mineral resource sites. General Plan policies protecting environmental resources are unchanged, including policies protecting wetland habitat along the San Rafael Canal. 6. Hazards and Noise. Any potential impacts on hazards and noise are less than significant because the neighborhood is part of the "The Management Plan for Country Club", and General Plan policies promote disaster preparedness and establish noise standards and noise assessments as part of project design. In addition, the amendments make no changes to City geotechnical/hazardous materials policies and standards. 7. Public Services and Utilities. Any potential impacts on public services and utilities are less than significant because there is a Fire Station located within the neighborhood, police services are sufficient, and the remaining sites with development potential are either limited to senior housing or have substantially reduced development potential, thereby not impacting school enrollment. The neighborhood is a developed area with infrastructure already in place. Drainage improvements for Park Street are included in the City's Capital Improvement Plan. i►] 8. Aesthetics. Any impacts on views are less than significant because of General Plan Community Design policies, and because of a proposed policy which will protect the view of the High School from Fourth Street. The proposed Residential Design Guidelines, together with existing project design review, will have a positive aesthetic effect on the neighborhood. 9. Cultural Resources and Recreation. Any potential impacts on cultural resources and recreation are less than significant because there are no changes to existing General Plan policies protecting cultural resources and encouraging adequate recreation opportunities. In addition, new neighborhood policies encourage creation of a neighborhood gathering space in the proposed senior housing project. 10. Overall Findings. Based upon the Negative Declaration and the record, the amendments will not cumulatively have a potential significant adverse impact on the environment or on the people who live and work in the Montecito/Happy Valley neighborhood. These changes are anticipated to have beneficial environmental impacts on the future of the neighborhood. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council hereby finds that the Negative Declaration has been completed in compliance with CEQA and certifies the document. I, JEANNE M. LEONCINI, Clerk of the City of San Rafael hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of said City held on Monday, the 18ffi of March, 1996, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cohen, Heller, Phillips, Zappetini & Mayor Boro NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: COLTNCILMEMBERS: None Je' Ane M. Leonciru, City Clerk 4